The difference between a new key and a rekeyed lock
Rekeying replaces the internal driver pins inside the cylinder with a new set that matches a new key cut. The original key no longer operates the lock — period. Every copy of the old key becomes useless. A new key from a hardware store kiosk simply duplicates the existing cut pattern, which means everyone who already has a copy still has a working key to your door.
Rekeying costs about the same as a hardware store key copy, takes 10 to 15 minutes per lock, and eliminates the access that a duplication cannot address. When access control matters — not just having a key that opens the door — rekeying is the correct action.
Sign 1: You just moved into a home or apartment
You do not know how many copies of your key exist when you move in. Previous owners gave copies to family members, house cleaners, contractors, neighbors, real estate agents, and staging companies. Sellers are not required to account for every copy made over the years of ownership. Rekeying on move-in day eliminates all of that unknown access and costs less than $100 for most homes.
Apartment renters face the same issue — the building manager may have master access regardless, but the individual unit cylinder should be rekeyed to eliminate previous tenant copies. In Maryland, some leases address this; most do not. Ask, and if the answer is uncertain, schedule a rekey.
Sign 2: A relationship ended or an employee departed
Relationship changes — roommate moving out, divorce, live-in caretaker transition, or a housekeeper you no longer use — create access control exposure that feels uncomfortable to address but is straightforward to resolve. Rekeying costs less than replacing the locks and takes the same amount of time. The uncomfortable conversation is the hard part; the locksmith visit is easy.
For businesses, employee departures create the same issue. A fired employee with a building key has an uncertain window of access before you can collect the key — if you can collect it at all. Rekeying after any access-sensitive departure closes that window immediately.
Signs 3, 4, and 5: The situations most people miss
Sign 3 is a lost or stolen key. Most people replace the lock after a car theft where the house key was on the keychain, but a misplaced key fob on a key ring with a home address on the registration card in the car is the same risk. Rekey within 48 hours; do not wait to see if the key turns up.
Sign 4 is a burglary or attempted break-in — even if the attacker did not use a key. Break-ins sometimes involve a copy made during a prior visit to the home under a different pretext. Rekeying resets the cylinder and eliminates any possibility of key-based re-entry. Police reports rarely identify whether a key was copied; rekeying closes the question.
Sign 5 is a contractor or service provider who had unaccompanied access. Renovation crews, HVAC technicians, and appliance installers are not typically screened the way employees are. If a key was left with them — or accessible during the visit — rekeying after project completion is the responsible step, not an accusation.
What rekeying does not fix — and when you replace instead
Rekeying changes the pinning so old keys stop working; it does not repair a worn cam, a cracked housing, or a cylinder that has been drilled. If the plug is sticky after rekeying, the technician will note binding driver pins, damaged springs, or a warped tailpiece that should trigger a replacement cylinder recommendation instead of forcing a rekey that will fail in weeks.
Commercial storefront mortise hardware and interconnected handlesets sometimes require full cylinder swaps because master-key charts or restricted keyways cannot be repinned in the field. Your mobile technician should inventory spare cores before arrival when you mention commercial doors so the visit stays one-trip.
Insurance carriers increasingly ask for dated invoices after burglaries; keep the rekey receipt with your claim file because it documents proactive access-control mitigation the same way alarm monitoring receipts do.
- Rekey: unknown key inventory, personnel changes, recovered stolen bags
- Replace cylinder: drill damage, chronic sticking, non-rekeyable smart modules
- Upgrade: bump-prone Kwikset generations to pick-resistant pins or new Grade 1 body
Scheduling and documentation tips
Book morning slots when doors can stay open for ventilation if you are sensitive to lubricant odor from cylinder service. Ask for a written scope that states how many cylinders were rekeyed, whether keys were keyed-alike, and whether any cylinders were replaced instead of rekeyed so future service calls start with accurate history.
Frequently asked questions
Does rekeying work on all lock brands?
Most standard residential cylinder brands — Kwikset, Schlage, Defiant, and others — can be rekeyed. Rekeying requires a replacement pin kit specific to the brand. Some proprietary or high-security brands need brand-specific tools. A locksmith carries the pin kits for common residential brands and can confirm compatibility on the call.
Can I rekey my locks to use the same key for every door?
Yes — this is called keying alike, and it is a common and practical request. All the cylinders are rekeyed to the same cut pattern so one key opens every exterior door. It costs slightly more than rekeying to different cuts because each cylinder needs to be pinned to the same specification.
How long does rekeying take?
An experienced locksmith can rekey a standard residential deadbolt in 10 to 15 minutes. A typical home with three exterior locks runs 45 to 60 minutes including setup, travel prep, and verifying each lock operates correctly with the new key.